What´s the Most Useful Plant in Your Garden?

This may not be the prettiest plant in the garden, in fact it looks quite pre-historic to me (and it probably is). But then, who am I to talk?



Aloe Vera comes to my rescue if I burn myself, get bitten or stung, or develop a heat-rash. Fortunately I have not needed to research any of its many other virtues, (yet).
The green gel is rather smelly, but very soothing and forms a protective layer on the skin.
If it is possible to grow it in an English greenhouse or conservatory, it would save many trips to the chemist.

 

I have it in several places (not as big as yours) but have only used it fresh a couple of times. I do have tubes of 99% gel.

I had a German friend here years ago who asked me about her rash all over her arms. She told me she put Aloe Vera on it and it got worse. I asked her which plant she used and she pointed out an Agave americana to me!!!

 

I've got an Aloe vera in a pot but I don't want to disfigure it by cutting the leaves every time I get stung by the many nettles and horseflies that seem to find me attractive.
I use Dock leaves or Dandelion leaves, they are cooling and sooth any stings, so I always leave some in odd corners of the garden, and they're in the hedgerows too.

 

I´ve not seen Docks or Dandelions here, but Aloe Vera seems to fill any size pot I put it in, I think I´ll have to split this one soon.

It doesn´t notice the odd amputation ...

 

Here neither ... but you can buy Dandelion seeds.

 

I put my Aloe Vera out in the garden for a treat and it's burning up, so I've brought it in again! I am guessing they want a shady spot with a bit of sun?

 

I never put my Aloe vera in sunlight, it turns brown, so I keep it in a bright spot where it never gets direct sunlight. It is a nice green colour .

 

Aloe vera does grow like a weed even over here but being not hardy it's not something you are likely to come across in the UK garden.

Wonder if the gel from inside Aloe striatula would have the same effect, its pretty hardy and grows like a weed in my garden.

As for useful plants l like a clump of Arundo donax , it provides me with lots of reasonable canes for holding up other plants the following year.
They are not as strong as bamboo but good for one season.

I Also use the leaf stalks off of Trachycarpus as plant supports.

 

Mine lives out in the sun Musician, but it will be acclimatised, so follow local rules.
I´m currently using it´s antiseptic virtues as I sawed into the side of my thumbnail on Monday and can´t play my banjo.

 

Now there is a coincidence, ..I can't play a banjo either.

 

Seen Aloe vera growing in the Simian mountains of Ethiopia, rather battered looking, but given the abundance obviously successful.
As for the most useful plant in the garden it depends what I'm doing. Phyllostachys nigra is a good source of canes, a couple of other beasties could be used in stock proof fencing but come in handy either as prunings or dried leaves for keeping cats off certain areas.

 

Same here @NigelJ Phyllostachys nigra for free garden canes.

 

Bay laurel plant. Always add a leaf when cooking soup, stews, pillaf.